A Closer Look at Supplements

What Is Vitamin B12?Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is one of the essential nutrients that our body’s need daily and proper intake is vital to our ability to maintain good health. Vitamin B12 is required by the body to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. B12 is one of eight water soluble B vitamins all of which help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar) which is a primary energy source for the body. Vitamin B12 also works closely with vitamin B9 to regulate the formation of red blood cells and to help iron function better in the body.

How Does Vitamin B12 Work?The last of the B-vitamins to be discovered, vitamin B12 was very quickly launched into the world of essential nutrition in the late 1940’s when it was discovered to cure condition known as pernicious anemia – a potentially deadly disease that is prevalent mostly in the elderly.

The most important medical use of vitamin B12 is to treat the symptoms of pernicious anemia (the stomach lacks a substance known as intrinsic factor that facilitates the absorption of vitamin B12 from food). These symptoms include weakness, pale skin, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet, loss of balance, confusion, memory loss, and moodiness.

Many studies indicate that patients with elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine are roughly 1.7 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease and 2.5 times more likely to suffer from a stroke than those with normal levels. Homocysteine levels are strongly influenced by B complex vitamins, particularly vitamins B9, B6, and B12.

Dietary and supplemental vitamin B complex is important for normal vision and prevention of cataracts. In fact, people with plenty of protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3 (niacin) in their diet are less likely to develop cataracts. Taking supplements of vitamins C, E, and B complex may protect the lens of your eyes from developing cataracts.

How Can I Make The Most Out Of Vitamin B12?The RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg per day for adults, although many experts recommend that adults achieve intake levels between 100-400 mcg daily. Vitamin B12 is naturally bound to the proteins found in animal foods including fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat, and poultry. Nutritional supplements and fortified breakfast cereals are also an excellent source of vitamin B12 and a particularly valuable source for vegetarians.

Because the body is able to readily store vitamin B12, deficiency is rare, although possible. Deficiency can result from the body’s inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract, which may be caused by a blood disorder known as pernicious anemia. Additionally, strict vegetarians or vegans (those who do not eat eggs or dairy products) who are not taking in proper amounts of vitamin B12 by way of supplements are also prone to a deficiency state. The elderly may also require supplementation as the aging body loses the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the diet.

What's Your Supplement IQ?You know that taking calcium supplements can help build strong bones when you don't eat enough dairy foods, but do you really know all that you should about supplements? Beyond the world of basic nutrition, there's an entirely different solar system of weird, wacky and wonderful facts about vitamins, minerals and herbs. Here's your chance to find out how much you know: Test your IQ with this supplement quiz.